We’re covering the government’s struggles to get financial aid to low-income Brazilians as the coronavirus crisis deepens. The “definitive split” between Jair Bolsonaro and Congress. And the struggles of Brazil’s healthcare system.
Measures to cushion crisis get stuck in Brasília
President Jair Bolsonaro has said, time and again, that his top priority is preserving Brazilians’ purchasing power and avoiding economic collapse. Therefore, it becomes all the more puzzling when his administration delays enacting emergency financial measures to assist low-income citizens. It took Mr. Bolsonaro 48 hours to ratify a bill creating an emergency BRL 600 monthly salary for informal workers — but now the government claims it needs more legal protections to raise the public deficit.
What is happening. The Economy Ministry says it needs a constitutional amendment greenlighting new expenses before going ahead with the payments. However, House Speaker Rodrigo Maia pointed out that Brazil’s fiscal responsibility laws give the president spending powers when approved by lawmakers. Even a member of the Federal Accounts Court stepped in, calling the government’s stance a “serious and negative move.”
- In a best-case scenario, the benefits will start reaching citizens between April 10 and 15. But this timetable could be delayed further.
Why it...